Patentable/Patents/US-11528667
US-11528667

SON accounting for max geographical distance

PublishedDecember 13, 2022
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A method is disclosed for determining an appropriate transmit power of a cell based on a desired coverage distance, comprising: initializing, at a cell, a cell reference signal transmit power at a high power level; broadcasting a cell signal power measure to require a high signal power level for user devices attempting to connect to the cell; progressively lowering the cell signal power measure at the cell; broadcasting the lowered cell signal power measure; deriving a plurality of user equipment (UE) attach request distances based on a plurality of propagation delay statistics derived from UE attach requests received at the cell; comparing the plurality of UE attach request distances against a maximum distance to obtain a number of UE attach requests received from UEs physically located beyond the maximum distance; and setting the cell reference signal transmit power based on the number of UE attach requests received from beyond the maximum distance, thereby iteratively determining an appropriate cell reference signal transmit power based on the maximum distance and on UE attach requests received at the cell.

Patent Claims
10 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting the cell reference signal transmit power when a statistically significant number of UE attach requests is received from distances less than the maximum distance but not from distances greater than the maximum distance.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to optimizing cell reference signal transmit power based on user equipment (UE) attachment patterns. The problem addressed is inefficient cell coverage, where reference signals may be transmitted at unnecessarily high power, wasting energy and causing interference, or at insufficient power, leading to poor coverage. The method involves monitoring UE attach requests to determine their geographic distribution relative to a base station. If a statistically significant number of UEs successfully attach from distances less than a predefined maximum distance but no UEs attach from distances greater than that maximum, the system adjusts the cell reference signal transmit power. This adjustment ensures the reference signal is strong enough to cover the area where UEs are present while avoiding excessive power consumption and interference beyond the necessary range. The method dynamically optimizes coverage based on real-world usage patterns, improving efficiency and performance in wireless networks.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising further lowering the cell signal power measure at the cell when a statistically significant number of UE attach requests is received from distances equal to or greater than the maximum distance, and collecting a further plurality of UE attach request propagation delay statistics.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to optimizing cell signal power based on user equipment (UE) attachment patterns. The problem addressed is inefficient cell coverage, where signal power may be unnecessarily high, causing interference or excessive energy consumption, or too low, leading to poor connectivity. The method involves monitoring UE attach requests to determine their propagation delay, which correlates with distance from the cell. A maximum distance threshold is established, and if a statistically significant number of UEs attach from distances equal to or greater than this threshold, the cell signal power is reduced. This adjustment is based on collected propagation delay statistics, ensuring the signal remains strong enough for UEs within the desired coverage area while minimizing unnecessary power usage. The process may be repeated iteratively, further lowering signal power if additional UE attach requests from long distances are detected, and continuing to gather propagation delay data to refine coverage optimization. The method dynamically adapts cell signal strength to balance coverage and efficiency, reducing interference and energy consumption while maintaining reliable connectivity.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing the plurality of propagation delay statistics to obtain a statistically significant number of propagation delay statistics.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods for improving signal transmission reliability by analyzing propagation delay statistics. In wireless networks, signal propagation delays can vary due to environmental factors, interference, and device mobility, leading to packet loss, latency, and reduced throughput. The invention addresses this by collecting and analyzing propagation delay statistics to enhance communication performance. The method involves measuring propagation delays between transmitting and receiving devices over multiple signal transmissions. These delays are recorded as propagation delay statistics, which may include metrics such as average delay, delay variance, and maximum/minimum delays. The collected statistics are then analyzed to determine a statistically significant sample size, ensuring the data accurately represents the communication channel's behavior. This analysis helps identify patterns, anomalies, or trends in signal propagation, allowing the system to adapt transmission parameters (e.g., modulation schemes, retransmission policies, or routing decisions) to mitigate delays and improve reliability. By dynamically adjusting based on statistically validated delay data, the method reduces packet loss and latency, enhancing overall network efficiency. The approach is applicable to various wireless technologies, including cellular, Wi-Fi, and IoT networks, where propagation delays significantly impact performance. The invention ensures robust communication by leveraging statistical analysis to optimize signal transmission in real-time.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising deriving the maximum distance from a maximum propagation delay of a UE request message based on a known timing of the UE request message relative to a reference signal broadcast by the cell.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to determining the maximum distance of a user equipment (UE) from a cell based on propagation delay measurements. The problem addressed is accurately estimating the UE's distance from the cell to optimize network performance, such as handover decisions or coverage management. The method involves deriving the maximum distance of the UE from the cell by analyzing the propagation delay of a UE request message. The propagation delay is measured relative to a known timing of the UE request message compared to a reference signal broadcast by the cell. The reference signal provides a timing reference, allowing the system to calculate the time difference between the UE's request and the reference signal. This time difference is then converted into a distance by multiplying the propagation delay by the speed of light, divided by two (accounting for the round-trip delay). The resulting value represents the maximum possible distance of the UE from the cell, considering the propagation delay. This technique improves distance estimation accuracy by leveraging precise timing information from the reference signal, reducing errors in location-based network decisions. The method is particularly useful in scenarios where precise UE positioning is critical, such as in mobility management or interference mitigation.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing fine adjustment by stepping the value of the cell reference signal transmit power through a range of values.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods for adjusting cell reference signal transmit power to optimize network performance. The problem addressed is the need for precise control of cell reference signal power to balance coverage, interference, and capacity in wireless networks. The method involves dynamically adjusting the transmit power of cell reference signals to improve signal quality and network efficiency. The invention includes a process where the transmit power of cell reference signals is fine-tuned by incrementally stepping through a range of power values. This fine adjustment ensures that the power level is optimized for the current network conditions, reducing interference while maintaining adequate coverage. The stepping process may involve small, controlled increments or decrements to the power level, allowing for gradual refinement of the signal strength. This approach helps avoid abrupt changes that could disrupt ongoing communications or degrade service quality. The method may also include monitoring network performance metrics, such as signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) or reference signal received power (RSRP), to determine the optimal power level. By continuously or periodically adjusting the power in small steps, the system can adapt to changing environmental factors, such as user density, interference levels, or propagation conditions. This ensures that the cell reference signals remain effective for tasks like cell selection, handover, and mobility management. The fine adjustment process may be automated or manually controlled, depending on the network configuration and operational requirements.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, the instructions further comprising causing the cell to set the cell reference signal transmit power when a statistically significant number of UE attach requests is received from distances less than the maximum distance but not from distances greater than the maximum distance.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to optimizing cell reference signal transmit power in a cellular network. The problem addressed is inefficient power usage and coverage issues when a cell's reference signals are either too weak to reach distant user equipment (UE) or too strong, causing unnecessary interference and energy consumption. The solution involves dynamically adjusting the cell's reference signal transmit power based on UE attachment patterns. The system monitors UE attach requests to determine the distances from which devices are successfully connecting. If a statistically significant number of UEs attach from distances less than the cell's maximum intended coverage distance but none from beyond that distance, the system reduces the cell's reference signal transmit power. This adjustment ensures that the cell's coverage remains efficient, avoiding excessive power consumption and interference while maintaining reliable connectivity for devices within the intended range. The method leverages real-time data to make adaptive power adjustments, improving network performance and energy efficiency.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, the instructions further comprising further lowering the cell signal power measure at the cell when a statistically significant number of UE attach requests is received from distances equal to or greater than the maximum distance, and collecting a further plurality of UE attach request propagation delay statistics.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to optimizing cell signal power levels based on user equipment (UE) attach request data. The problem addressed is inefficient cell coverage, where signal power may be set too high, causing unnecessary interference, or too low, leading to poor connectivity. The solution involves dynamically adjusting cell signal power based on UE attach request propagation delays to improve coverage and reduce interference. The system monitors UE attach requests and measures their propagation delays to determine the distance between UEs and the cell. If a statistically significant number of UEs attach from distances equal to or greater than a predefined maximum distance, the cell signal power is further lowered. This adjustment is based on collected propagation delay statistics, which help assess signal propagation characteristics. The process ensures that signal power is optimized to cover only the intended area, minimizing interference while maintaining reliable connectivity. The invention improves network efficiency by dynamically adapting to real-world propagation conditions rather than relying on static configurations.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, the instructions further comprising analyzing the plurality of propagation delay statistics to obtain a statistically significant number of propagation delay statistics.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to network communication systems, specifically addressing the challenge of accurately measuring and analyzing propagation delays in data transmission. The system involves collecting propagation delay statistics from multiple data transmissions between network nodes, such as between a client device and a server. These statistics are gathered over time to ensure a statistically significant sample size, allowing for reliable analysis of network performance. The collected data is then processed to identify patterns, anomalies, or trends in propagation delays, which can be used to optimize network routing, diagnose latency issues, or improve overall communication efficiency. The system may also involve filtering or weighting the collected statistics to enhance accuracy or relevance. By analyzing a statistically significant number of propagation delay measurements, the invention provides a robust method for assessing and improving network performance in real-world conditions.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, the instructions further comprising deriving the maximum distance from a maximum propagation delay of a UE request message based on a known timing of the UE request message relative to a reference signal broadcast by the cell.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods for determining the maximum distance of a user equipment (UE) device from a cell based on signal propagation delays. The problem addressed is accurately estimating the UE's distance from the cell to optimize network performance, such as handover decisions or coverage management, without requiring additional hardware or complex measurements. The invention involves a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, perform a process to derive the maximum distance of a UE from a cell. The process includes analyzing the propagation delay of a UE request message relative to a reference signal broadcast by the cell. The reference signal serves as a timing benchmark, allowing the system to calculate the maximum propagation delay of the UE request message. From this delay, the maximum distance is derived using the known speed of signal propagation, typically the speed of light in a wireless medium. The method ensures accurate distance estimation by accounting for the timing relationship between the UE request message and the reference signal, eliminating the need for additional synchronization or measurement steps. This approach improves network efficiency by providing precise distance information for tasks like cell reselection, load balancing, and interference management, without requiring UE modifications or additional infrastructure. The solution leverages existing signals and timing mechanisms, making it cost-effective and scalable for modern wireless networks.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, the instructions further comprising performing fine adjustment by stepping the value of the cell reference signal transmit power through a range of values.

Plain English Translation

A system for adjusting cell reference signal transmit power in wireless communication networks addresses the challenge of optimizing signal quality while minimizing interference. The invention involves a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions for a base station to dynamically adjust the transmit power of cell reference signals. The base station initially sets a baseline transmit power level for the cell reference signals, which are used by user devices to measure signal quality and establish connections. To refine this power level, the system performs fine adjustment by incrementally stepping the transmit power through a predefined range of values. This iterative process allows the base station to evaluate the impact of each power level on signal quality and interference, enabling precise optimization. The system may also consider factors such as network load, interference conditions, and device feedback to determine the optimal power setting. By dynamically adjusting the transmit power, the invention improves signal reliability and reduces unnecessary interference, enhancing overall network performance. The solution is particularly useful in dense deployment scenarios where interference management is critical.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

January 26, 2021

Publication Date

December 13, 2022

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